The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-27

tuC pIcuuuluuuCC vi LuC hukiO-O
element. II the socialists aud
proletariat of foreign countries are
permitted to overthrow the Anglo
Saxon here then we are gone. Ii we
had predominance in this country at
the present time, the Puritan ell
ement, the devotion Of to one idea as
represented in the Anglo-Saxon
type then | feel certain if the judges
sat upon the bench in plain clothes
they would exercise as much in
huence as they ought to. The
judges of the Supreme Court
represent pure law. Through them
all law. except that pertaining to the
operation of the Executive depart.
ment is enforced. The people should
be encouraged to have the highest
respect for this court, Tor its
members are the most helpless
except as they have the confidence
of the people. The judges have no
army, no patronage and no control
over the nations purse. There has
crept into this country from abroad a
lowering Of respect for official life, a
tendency to lesson the respect due to
those who are called to assume re-
sponsibilities of official station.
While | would not inaugurate it, |
do not think that it would now be
wise to discard the gown. There is
no man who is acquainted with hui
man nature who does not understand
the effect of outward presence and
dress in inspiring respect for high
Office. am therefore against max
ing any change at the present time.
Well known as Justice Miller is all
over the country, but comparatively
few people are aware that he was 30
years old before he began the study
of law. He was born in Kentucky,
April 8, 1916, and consequently he
was eligible for retirement upon full
pay on his last birthday. The first
twelve years of his life was spent on
a farm, and there he underwent all
the hardships and toll incident to
the life of this kind. At an early
age he was sent to an academy in
Richmond, for a year or two, and
here by mere accident he got a
chance to study medicine. Alter
graduating and receiving his diploma,
he commenced the practice of his
profession. For eight years he was
a country practitioner, and then lie
made up his mind to become a law
yer. He had wife and two chill
dren before he decided to change
his original occupation. There are
not many men who could with safety
change from one profession to an
other after having passed the first
period of manhood. He was more
successful in law than in medicine.
In the latter profession with his
sensitive, sympathetic nature, he SUIT
fered more than his patients did, and
the wear upon his mind was more
than he could bear. Several years
after being admitted to the bar,
Miller removed to Keokuk, la.
Here he took an active part in pol
itics. He was an enthusiastic ad-
mirer of Henry Clay and considers
him and Alexander Hamilton the
two greatest statesmen America has
produced. In 1862, Miller was
nominated by President Lincoln to
be Justice OF the Supreme Court.
His nomination went over to the
Senate at 8 o'clock in the evening
before the final adjournment and he
was instantly confirmed unanimously
without reference to a committee.
This compliment is rarely paid by
any one who has not formerly been a
member of the Senate. So
it was that within doz n
of years after being admitted to
the bar, this newly fedged lawyer
had reached ose OF the highest places
in his profession. During his TWEEN
ty-four years upon the bench he has
probably written more opinions on
constitutional questions than any Of
his associates and throughout the
country he stands among the very
highest of constitutional lawyers
The first case to come before the Su.
preme Court, involving the thir.
teenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the constitution was
given Justice Miller to prepare the
opinion OF the court and this was the
very first authoritativoexpositiOn o.
the amendments.